Hello, my friends! I hope your afternoon is shaping up quite nicely and that your day is going well. (I figure that’s a better blog welcome than me crapping all over Tuesdays like I did in my morning post, right? Woooo Tuesday!)
I worked through the morning before taking a break to deliver lunch to the seniors on my Meals On Wheels route. Chili was on the menu for today which made me smile since I thought Ryan and I might be the only crazies to eat “summer chili” when it’s in the ‘90s in Florida.
Once I completed my route and dropped the empty cooler and some paperwork off at the senior services center, I drove home ready to make myself lunch since the smell of food in my car revved my appetite.
Lunch
Today’s lunch was a little unusual.
Mackerel!
I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about mackerel, but as a big fan of other forms of canned fish (tuna + salmon), I figured I would give it a shot. It ended up tasting an awful lot like canned tuna, so I treated it similarly and made myself a mackerel salad wrap with mayo, Dijon mustard, onion, green pepper and tomato.
Served with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts!
20 Places Every American Should See
As someone who loves traveling and exploring new areas, articles featuring “must see” destinations always catch my eye. A recent article from Budget Travel listed 20 places every American should see and I thought it was really interesting. I figured it might intrigue you guys as well!
According to Budget Travel these are the 20 places every American should see in their lifetime:
- Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone National Park
- Highway 1, California
- Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
- Times Square, New York City
- Las Vegas Strip
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- South Beach (Miami, Florida)
- French Quarter (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Nashville, Tennessee
- National Mall, Washington, D.C.
- Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
- Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Civil Rights District (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Architecture in Chicago, Illinois
- Pearl Harbor
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
- Ellis Island, New Jersey
What do you think?
I was surprised to see Mount Rushmore left off the list! I feel like that destination makes nearly every “must see in America” travel list, though I’ve never personally seen it.
Question of the Afternoon
- What destination in the United States do you think should be added to the list? (It doesn’t have to be a widely acclaimed place, just somewhere you love!)
- If you could pick one destination from the above list to visit, where would you choose to go?
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Totally not travel related but, did you happen to see the elderly gentleman that lost his wife a couple weeks ago? That story really touched my heart. I know you saw he had family with him last time you went out. I hope he is doing ok
I definitely want to go to New Orleans sometime soon — my husband is a jazz musician, so I’m sure he won’t be difficult to convince!
I’m heading back to NYC for the second time this year, and will be putting the MoMA on the top of my to do list!
The Great Lakes should definitely be on there. Having grown up around them, I’ve kind of come to take them for granted, but I have family that did not grow up around the lakes, and they’re always so shocked to see a lake that huge. They can’t believe it’s not an ocean. If I had to pick one place on the list, I’d go to Ellis Island. My great grandpa came through there, and I’d love to see it.
Definitely the San Juan Islands in Washington state… so beautiful!!
The Redwood Forest in California is beautiful! I’ve been to several places on the list and think Times Square and The Washington Mall are a must! I was surprised that the Arlington National Cemetery was not included…a very hallowed place and amazing experience!
Woohoo I have 9 of the 20 checked off! But of the 11 left, the “West Coast” destinations are the ones I really want to get to.. specifically Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and just about anything in California!!
Umm, how about the entire state of Colorado? 🙂 I’m not from there, but I plan to be someday!
I would also add The Outer Banks of NC. Gorgeous!
Glad to see Miami, FL made the list 🙂 I go to school there!! Random, but I think Americans should go to Alaska at least once, no place in particular, just somewhere in the state. Such a different atmosphere there.
Definitely 17 Mile Drive in Monterey, California. It’s gorgeous!
I think the mounds colonies in Ohio should be on the “must see” list. It’s soooooo eeerie. It’s also just really, really cool.
As for Times Square? Blech.
I would love to see the Smithsonian museums of DC on this list! :)) and that wrap looks delicious!
I am surprised that Mount Rushmore did not make the list as well. I just vacationed in South Dakota for a week and I can’t believe something from South Dakota didn’t make the list.
1) Mount Rushmore – South Dakota
2) The Bad Lands – South Dakota
3) Devils Tower – Wyoming
4) Crazy Horse – South Dakota
I travel for work so I have been to a majority of those places and for only being 25 I feel really blessed for these experiences. I live in Nashville now and it is the most amazing city ever!!! I grew up in florida and moved to nashville a year ago and will never look back!
Vermont is on the top of my list of places to see in America. It is so beautiful and I was lucky enough to be there during the fall…love!! Also, the redwood forests across the bay from San Fran are amazing and so majestic!!
Nashville is amazing! I just love that my hometown was the only (?) CITY on that list, as opposed to area or site. So glad you love it there!!!
I moved to Colorado a year ago, and no joke every new view is prettier than the one before it. Even living in Denver, the sunsets over the mountain horizon are the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever seen. This entire state should be on that list.
oh man. i’ve seen hardly any of those places. mostly just Chicago. total Midwest girl!! lol. I really want to go to D.C. though!!
I saw one of them today in Philadelphia… Brings me to 6!!
I’m shocked that I’ve actually seen 6 of these places, since I don’t get to travel much! I definitely want to visit Las Vegas & New Orleans at least once in my life!
I’m Canadian but I’ve seen 4 things from the list: Pearl Harbour, Las Vegas Strip, NY Times Square, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I would love to someday visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the French Quarter in New Orleans.
If I could add to the list, I would add Haunama Bay in Hawaii. So beautiful there.
Yosemite National Park is pretty incredible… any area of the park, really. I also went to Alaska this summer, and the glaciers are AMAZING! It really is magical. Oh- and Pike’s Place Market is a must see too 🙂
20 places is just too short! I would add
1) San Francisco
2) Pacific Coast HW
3) Big Sur
4) Napa Valley
5) Monument Valley
I love that Fenway made that list. As a Sox fan, I have to say it made me smile!
I’m biased as a former Rhode Islander, but I think everyone should do the Cliff Walk in Newport at least once. The historic mansions and incredible view are unbeatable!
I think I’ve been to 8 of those places … I need to get moving, and see more things!
I personally think everyone needs to experience Sarasota, Florida’s beaches. But I’m also biased. 🙂
As an Aussie Ive only been to the USA once but Im excited to have been to 4!! And going to Hawaii next year so Pearl Harbour is next. I definitely think this list could be a mile longer though….
Ellis Island, NY.*
NJ would like to think they own it but they don’t.
Actually, according to Wiki, NJ owns a majority of the island. As a New Yorker, I would like to think it belongs to us too. 🙂
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Island
I’ve been to 8 out of the 20! Not too shabby!! 🙂 I really think Pearl Harbor and the Grand Canyon would be memorable spots to visit!
From that list I’ve been to Magic Kingdom, Times Square, Fenway Park and the National Mall, but I’d like to see them all! I’d most like to see Pearl Harbor, Ellis Island and the Civil Rights District yet. I think that the Golden Gate Bridge should be on there (along with Mt. Rushmore!).
Interesting! I would also add Mackinaw Island, Michigan. It’s my favorite place to go!
I think they should add The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas! I was born and raised in Seabrook, Texas and my parents always took me to see the Alamo and River Walk when I was younger. Always loved it!!
I can’t wait to move to Arizona soon to see the Grand Canyon. I think Lake Tahoe is definitely a place American should visit!
Dang I’ve been to only 4 of the 20 places haha! I think that means I need to travel more.
The Redwood forest should definitely be added! My cousin actually got married in the forrest a few summers ago and we had to take a train to get there! It was absolutely gorgeous.
I’d love to visit miami beach myself. I’d love to party in the city where the heat is on. =]
Seattle! I love the Market there!
And pretty much everything in San Francisco! That city is to die for.
Glacier National Park, Montana. 🙂
I’d love to go to LA, LV and San Fran! Anywhere really since I am in aus! haha.
Vegas, baby! 🙂 I’ve only been to one of the places on that list – Pearl Harbor (Puʻuloa). I’d probably want to see (besides Vegas) Times Square and Magic Kingdom! I’ll always be a kid at heart.
anywhere in Hawaii… the beauty is astonishing.
I would add the Hoover Dam to the list, and although slightly less well-known, Valley of Fire State Park in Overton, Nevada- it’s easily one of the coolest places I have been in my life.
I’m surprised by how many of these I’ve been to! On this list, I’d most like to visit Yellowstone National Park, Pearl Harbor, and the Grand Canyon.
OMG – they should have added the ‘Avenue of the Giants’ in Humboldt, California!!!
The Redwood forest up there is the most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G thing you’ll ever see!
Its like an enchanted forest! It’s actually where JRR Tolkien (dude who wrote Lord of the Rings) got the inspiration for the giant tree forest in the second book/movie (the ones the hobbits ride on lol)
I agree with The Grand Teton’s. I went to Jackson Whole for my babymoon this past February and it was gorgeous. A great place to see before hunkering down to take care of a baby for the next few years!
I’m surprised Taos Pueblo ended up on the list! I’m a New Mexican and Taos is wonderful, but it’s generally not included in lists like these.
Interesting that you put Ellis Island NJ. We were just there a couple weeks ago and currently there is a lawsuit as NY is claiming it is theirs. I’m sure the ability to apply tax is a big incentive!
What kind of a tortilla/wrap is that?
Remove Hollywood Walk of Fame. So ugly! Replace with hike to Hollywood sign or Laguna Beach.
I’ve seen 9! That is kind of an odd list, I’d sub out several of those for more specific US monuments or natural areas
I really think that the Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan should be on that list! They are Free to visit and so truely beautiful! Plus, you can get a Killer! workout hiking up and down those babies!
I agree with Virginia. SO much history. as a kid I went to one of those historic places. AMAZING.
I’m surprised Niagra falls isn’t on the list. Although I suppose we DO share that with Canada and all…
But if I had to add a place (and maybe this is just my bias since I’m a Virginia girl born and bred), I’d say one of the historical homes in VA, which we have a TON of. George Washington’s house (Mount Vernon), Thomas Jefferson’s house (Monticello), George Mason’s house (Gunston Hall), James Madison’s home (Montpelier)… to name a few. As well as places like Williamsburg and Yorktown, some of the original US settlements. But again, I’m a little biased!
Wow. I was surprised that I’ve only visited seven of the spots on the list. Guess I need to get to traveling.
I’ll add my vote for the Golden Gate Bridge/San Francisco (in part because it’s one more place I could check off).
I’d like to visit Yellowstone. Can I swap one of my many visits to Grand Canyon (since I now live in Arizona, everyone wants to go there when they come see me) for a trip to Yellowstone?
I’ve only been to two. Lol! Sucks.
I think downtown DC as a whole should be included. Doesn’t get more budget friendly than free museums and a ton of landmarks to see all within walking distance or a short drive.
A 20 minute walk east of the Capitol building is the Supreme Court.
The Mall (not a mall to shop) itself is pretty extensive. The White House and Library of Congress are short walking distances from the Mall. BTW, if u like feeding squirrels, pigeons, and ducks, the animals in the park right in front of the White House (north/main side) are very accustomed and will eat out of your hand. . Ford’s Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was shot and the Petersen House where he later succumbed to that injury. Burea of Engraving and Printing (cashmoney) is pretty cool. Kids might like to pass by the FBI headquarters. Very highly recommend the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Many more. Very tourist friendly… as long as you don’t stand on the left side of the escalators 😉
Ok, I’ll stop now.